System Dynamics Applied to Terraced Agroecosystems: The Case Study of Assaragh (Anti-Atlas Mountains, Morocco)

Abstract

Terraced agroecosystems (TAS)—apart from being an important cultural heritage element—are considered vital for sustainable water resource management and climate change adaptation measures. However, this traditional form of agriculture, with direct implications in food security at a local scale, has been suffering from abandonment or degradation worldwide. In light of this, the need to fully comprehend the complex linkage of their abandonment with different driving forces is essential. The identification of these dynamics makes possible an appropriate intervention with local initiatives and policies on a larger scale. Therefore, the main aim of this paper is to introduce a comprehensive multidisciplinary framework that maps the dynamics of the investigated TAS’s abandonment, by defining cause–effect relationships on a hydrogeological, ecological and social level, through tools from System Dynamics studies. This methodology is implemented in the case of Assaragh TAS, a traditional oasis agroecosystem in the Moroccan Anti-Atlas, characterized by data scarcity. Through field studies, interviews, questionnaires and freely accessible databases, the TAS’s abandonment, leading to a loss in agrobiodiversity, is linked to social rather than climatic drives. Additionally, measures that can counteract the phenomenon and strengthen the awareness of the risks associated with climate change and food security are proposed.

The Terraces of the Anti-Atlas: From Abandonment to the Risk of Degradation of a Landscape Heritage

“…However, it is now that the negative consequences for the soil and the landscape are starting to appear and are becoming spectacular. Other authors have shown it in the Anti-Atlas as well [17]. The abandonment of terraces, mainly due to social driving forces (little exchange between generations and emigration) rather than natural or ecological (droughts or a lack of water resources), is leading to land degradation and the loss of an important cultural heritage.…”

“…The loss of agricultural potential at the level of the terraces strongly compromises rural development and compromises the sustainability of the cultural heritage that these landscapes constitute in the Anti-Atlas [17]. Indeed, the degradation of natural resources (water, soil and vegetation) is a factor in the discouragement of the population, which favors the rural exodus and, at the same time, the abandonment of the terraces.…”

Terraced Landscapes and Hydrological-Geological Hazards: Innovative Approaches and Future Perspectives

“…The paper by Sabir [20] closes the Special Issue, showing how the effects of land abandonment in the terraces of Anti-Atlas (described by Boselli in [17]) lead to a reduction of infiltration in unmanaged terraced landscapes, even after few years. The author suggested immediate action to rehabilitate and restore the socio-ecological systems of terraced areas, to avoid consequent hydrological and hydrogeological hazards.…”

“…The Special Issue also hosted multi-disciplinary research efforts, such as the work by Boselli et al [17], who studied the dynamics of land abandonment in the terraced landscapes of Anti-Atlas (Morocco) with a system dynamics approach. The analysis highlighted how the abandonment of the terraced agroecosystems in the area is mainly driven by social issues rather than by climatic changes.…”

“…Such kinds of research efforts could be considered of particular interest, since, while most of the "historical" terraced landscapes were created a long time ago, they offer the possibility of analyzing the different parts of the terracing implementation, highlighting possible errors, their consequences, but also innovative design methodologies. Some of the case studies focused on issues related to terrace abandonment (Figure 3) [13,15,17,19,20], which represent an issue at the global scale [1,6,7], while others focused instead on new terrace system implementation [14,16]. Such kinds of research efforts could be considered of particular interest, since, while most of the "historical" terraced landscapes were created a long time ago, they offer the possibility of analyzing the different parts of the terracing implementation, highlighting possible errors, their consequences, but also innovative design methodologies.…”